First Ever Solar Power Plant Inaugurated in Energy-Starved Kandahar Province

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani inaugurated the first ever
solar power plant in southern Kandahar province, where residents and industrialists
have been demanding electricity for years.

The $39 million solar power plant will produce a total of 30
megawatts energy, helping boost agriculture and industries in the province.

The project is implemented by Zularistan Energy of
Afghanistan (ZEFA) and Turkey’s 77 Construction company, who are covering $25
million of the total cost of the project. The remaining $14 million is provided
by the Afghan Ministry of Finance.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, President Ghani said that
his government would continue to support the private sector in the country.

Afghanistan needs 2,000 megawatts of electricity annually to
fulfill its domestic energy needs. It imports over 1,000 megawatts from Iran,
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, while 280 to 320 megawatts is produced
at home.

A solar power project that will produce 50 megawatts electricity
is under work in the western Herat province.